Team Babbitt's Monster Energy TiLUBE Kawasaki presented by Maxxis Tires Race Report Rockford 2011‏

MUSKEGON , Mi. (April 3, 2011) – Babbittsonline.com - Babbitts Motor Sports Racing^® 

With the 2011 AMA Arenacross tour winding down, the series move to
Rockford, Illinois for another double header weekend of racing.  Here
the Babbitt’s Monster Energy TiLUBE Kawasaki  presented by Maxxis Tires
Team hoped to clinch the Championship; which by Saturday night’s podium
is exactly what happened!  Tyler Bowers is now your new AMA Arenacross
Champion, and Team Babbitt’s has added yet another Arenacross
Championship (their fourth) to the roster!

 
Friday
night’s main began great for Tyler Bowers as he rounded turn one in
third; while teammates Chad Johnson, and Gray Davenport – were inside
the top ten.   Soon Bowers would pass his way into the lead; ultimately
checking out over second place.  Unfortunately a short time later he
crashed.  “Yeah Tyler was riding awesome and had the lead until he went
over a jump and got cross rutted – and went down.  But he worked back
up to eighth so that was good” commented Team Manager Denny Bartz. 
Chad Johnson finished second; just ever so slightly behind winner Kelly
Smith.   “Chad caught Kelly (Smith, leader) with one lap to go, and
almost had him, but didn’t have enough time to pass him” commented
Bartz.  In talking about third team member Gray Davenport, Bartz would
add “Gray finished tenth; which wasn’t too bad.  He’s just been
struggling a little bit these past few weeks.  Overall a good night; we
are still in the points lead with Tyler having 33 over Gibson in second
who is just two points ahead of Chad!”    

Saturday
night’s main event started with Bowers taking a top three start, and
Johnson and Davenport (like Friday night) barely inside the top ten. 
Three laps later Tyler was in second; one lap later he moved into
first! Once in the lead, Bowers never looked back’ easily winning the
race, after a few minutes of points tabulating; the 2011 AMA Arenacross
Championship!   Trying to overcome his poor start and work through
traffic, Johnson was involved in a last lap crash which would relegate
him to fifth, while Gray Davenport finished seventh.  Talking about his
ride, Chad Johnson would say “I had a bad start and was trying my
hardest to get through the pack.  But on the last lap I made a bad
judgment call and stuck my bike in where I probably shouldn’t have and
took us both out!  Now I’m going to head home and get ready for Des
Moines.”   Current point standing’s has Chad Johnson only eight behind
Jeff Gibson for second in the championship!  “I feel we had a better
bike set up here on Saturday night in Rockford.  But then when I
wrecked in my heat race and had to go to the LCQ, that gave me a back
row start for the main – so that was hard to overcome.  But I am happy
with the bike set up and my riding” commented Gray Davenport.  

Sharing
his thoughts on Saturday night in Rockford, Team Manager Denny Bartz
would say “Obviously it went great; Tyler had a decent start and moved
into first after a couple laps.  There he just rode consistent and
smart; fast enough to stay in the lead, and out of trouble.  It’s great
to win this championship!  Still, we have another race left, and
another goal in mind for Chad.”

The man of the hour Tyler Bowers would add “this means so much to me; I’m really happy!”  More news on Tyler soon…

With
the season ending race coming this weekend in Des Moines, Iowa, and
Tyler Bowers already clinching the title, the team’s focus will be on
getting Chad Johnson to take second in the championship!  Stay tuned
for much more exciting news coming from Team Babbitt’s Monster Energy
TiLUBE Kawasaki  presented by Maxxis Tires very soon!  For more on the
team, check out   www.teambabbitts.com  

April 3, 2011
Jim Kimball